Paul Hurst is continuing to look at free agent strikers in the wake of injuries to Ellis Harrison and Jon Walters but currently has no plans to bring Aaron Drinan back from his loan at Sutton United.

Harrison is sidelined for two months after damaging ankle ligaments in training last Thursday, just days after Jon Walters was sidelined for six months and returned to Burnley for treatment on his partially ruptured achilles.

The free agent market is the only one open to Hurst at this time, with the Blues boss again insisting there is not a huge pool of unemployed talent to choose from.

“I’m aware of a couple but I don’t know realistically how many there are out there,” he said.

“We’ve got Kayden (Jackson) and we’ve got Freddie (Sears) who are, admittedly, not similar types to what we’ve lost or like Aaron (Drinan) but maybe this is a chance for them to have a run of games. Certainly one of them.

“Then, along the way if nothing does change, it might be a case of giving a young player an opportunity.

“We’ll see how the situation develops and how we’re going but one thing’s for certain is we don’t want to suffer another injury in that department. Fingers crossed.

“If it really comes to it and we think it’s the best course of action then we’ll look at it (recalling Drinan) but at the moment, while we don’t have tons of options, I want to really focus on what we have got.

“Hopefully we can get performances out of them and the team to help us get the result.”

The Blues will discover the full extent of Harrison’s injury this week, with the Welshman out for a minimum of two months.

“He’ll still very much have his part to play in the dressing room because he’s a cheery character. We wish him the most speedy recovery he can have.

“He’s due to see a specialist on Wednesday where we will find out a little bit more. Whether we get a definite timeframe I’m not quite sure but, as I said the other day, an absolute minimum of two months. Hopefully that’s what it will be in the end and get him out playing.”